Pronet Advertising has a nice piece on building a better blog and identifies 5 areas that a blog can stand out from the rest in:
- Content
- Usability
- Visibility
- Uniqueness
- Readers
Read the full detail on each at 5 ways to building a better blog
What would you add to the list?
6. supplying demands
[…] On building a better blog […]
Personality
I think that list should start with
1- Content
2- Content
3- Content
and then keep on with the rest of the list. Make better content, and you will instantly have a better blog. Sure, things like design, uniqueness and readability help, but there is nothing like content.
“In a world of infinite choice, context – not content – is king.”
Great tips! I would add there frequent posting.
It’s starting to make sense now…
I’ve been somewhat lost as to where I wanted to take my blog. When I first started blogging it was the kind of once a month update about my life’s happenings and was essentially useless. After a while I began……
[…] ProBlogger höll i lyktan. […]
Those are 5 good points and can help build a successful blog. One that I have been struggling with is getting feedback/opinions from my readers.
While my traffic has been increasing, I haven’t been able to generate many comments so I don’t know what my visitors thing. Or maybe the lack of comments should tell me more than enough.
Dear Darren,
Greetings!
Thank you for this great spot where I have learned so much.
Take care of yourself.
Peace,
Geoffrey
Honesty would be big one that I would add.
In my short experience blogging within a topic that is way overblogged(poker) I have run into a good number of people who really have no idea what they are talking about.
It is ok to not know everything about a particular subject. It is important to admit that you don’t and not try to pass yourself off as an expert.
Just my two cents.
JD
[…] Reference to Neil’s posts first appeared in Darren Rowse’s ProBlogger post: 5 ways to building a better blog […]
besides content (erm,. especially since blogging is considered ‘content’ publishing), the value of getting the word out is equally important.
you touched on some aspect in the post, and maybe i could suggest networking as another broad heading.
building a community, a la;
1) directory listing
2) press releases
3) online promotions
can build your community up.
I feel that blogging could end up a solitary affair and a one way street if not executed right.
if you have a group of readers who’re constantly giving you feedback and responding to your posts, you benefit from:
1) a sense of mental equilibrum knowing that you’re not talking into the void of cyberspace.
2) you have real time talkbacks and you can keep a conversation going.
3) people love you!
(i think i like #3 best.)
:)
Andrew Wee
http://www.WhoIsAndrewWee.com
I think that timeliness is a big one. When you’re monitoring a few blogs on a specific subject, you straight away notice who breaks news for you, and who just waits around and comments on it later.
Has anyone mentioned luck?
It seems being at the right place at the right time is sometimes a factor. What we have to do is always be ready for when an unexpected opportunity comes our way.
And about press releases, I’ve been thinking about trying that. Who do you send them to? Other bloggers, journalists, both?
Darren: I did a similar post not long ago because once in a while things get rather heated up on my blog. I felt it was time to lay down some rules of engagement, so to speak. They are awefully similar to yours. I added a humorous spin to them. Check them out at:
http://www.churchpundit.com/?p=123 . Thanks for your insights! churchpundit!
[…] After these five Darren Prowse over at ProBlogger.net has asked “are there any more?” […]
Content , Is the most important
Lots of link happy friends, lots of luck, and lots of time.
And spellcheck is pretty important too.
[…] Via verschillende posts in mijn RSS reader kwam ik een site tegen die ik nog niet kende maar wel direct een bijzondere indruk op mij maakte. Zo schreef ProBlogger en kwam ik Neil Patel van Pronet Advertising tegen via MyBlogLog en 9Rules. […]
Content is king and is the hardest part of blogging. But I have seen some crummy blogs that get a lot of traffic. Blogging is social in nature. Those who can network and read and comment on other blogs are the most successful. No blog is an island. Blogs are different than web sites they need participation and the only way to get it is to gice it. :) I see that one of your commenters also addressed this but I would say it is critical.
So, I hope Darren won’t mind — but, to answer his question, I’d say an unqualified “YES — there are more things to add!”
I’m humbling submitting tips 6-10 of 5 MORE ways to Build a Better Blog
Focus
Relevance
Freshness
Passion
Integrity
Check out a fuller description:
http://www.deepjiveinterests.com/2006/09/16/building-a-better-blog-steps-6-10/
Cheers
t @ dji
5 maneras de construir un mejor blog…
Acabo de leer 5 ways to building a better blog a tráves de Problogger éste último haciendo un resumen de lo dicho por el primero, las cinca principales áreas que hay que cuidar:
Contenido.
Accesibilidad.
Visibilidad.
Único (contenido original).
…
Unfortunately, it’s ultimately the search engine ratings that determine the “driving power” of blogs. Even if you have a shoddy blog, if you drive a ton of traffic to it, you’re going to do ten times better than the “small fry” who actually has a quality blog. I believe this is what actually discourages most -good- bloggers from blogging…
[…] 4. Easy to Memorize and Casually Mention in Conversation Members of the mob are always looking for ways to stand out from their friends. What better way to assert your individuality than by referencing an easy-to-remember bullet? “Well you know, I heard content is kind of important when trying to build a better blog.” … I […]